The Most Important Blogpost: A Must Watch

Once again, I’d planned a completely different post for today, but sometimes Life (G-d) brings you something so important, something that grabs you by the collar and looks you in the eyes. So it is now.

When my husband was first diagnosed with a “terminal” cancer… that’s what the first oncologist told us…. I realized that this fear that gripped me and stole my breath and my insides was not how I would choose to live. Instead we took a different path – one of faith in HaShem (the ineffable name of G-d); one of life and laughter and love and beauty and gratitude and good report. We were able to change doctors and hospitals in an instant (thank you HaShem and thank you to our dear friend, Efrat!!!). We walked THROUGH the valley of the SHADOW (not real) of death and now seven years later, here we are! Thank you G-d: Todah laShem!

Please. Watch this video. It might be the most important and life changing thing you will do. Nothing is by accident. I bring you an interview with the mother of a former hostage in Gaza, Omer ShemTov (his name actually translates to ‘I say G-d is good”. She eloquently and passionately speaks of how her faith and attitude kept her through his captivity. She is an inspiration!!!

https://youtu.be/W2tABdDQMFE?si=iRlgxe8SLGE_l4SG

The Heat Continues 9 November, 2025

John and I came back from cool British weather, true sweater weather with leaves turning yellow and crimson and bright orange… to the unabated desert heat. We are having a drought here in Israel and the temperatures are still up. There are no autumnal colors, just the Southern California brown and black of heat scorched fields. Hopefully, there is an end in sight and we will have a change in weather by next week.

On the other hand, things are heating up rather rapidly. A different kind of heat. Who ever said “Peace has come to the Middle East” is full of hot air. Up to our north, in Lebanon, Hizbulla has been building up their military apparatus. Despite what President Aoun says, they have been getting new IRGC recruits from Iran and Syria.

UNIFIL observation forces in Southern Lebanon were supposed to ensure that the Trump-brokered ceasefire was standing. So far all they have one is to have shot down an Israeli surveillance drone. UNIFIL have allowed Hizbulla forces to reenter Southern Lebanon, and have overseen their fortifications.

The Israeli Air Force has been selectively striking at Hizbulla’s current leadership. Last week the municipal buildings in Taybeh and Taur Daaba were taken out after intelligence revealed they were

being used as military infrastructure. The people of the towns were given 18 minutes warning to evacuate before the strikes occurred. The IAF is currently carrying out large scale attacks on supply chains and munitions factories and storage facilities there. It is estimated that over 1500 long range missiles and parts have been snuck into Southern Lebanon through Syria in the past couple months alone.

In the meantime, Syrian President Sharaa, former alQaeda terrorist on the ten most wanted list, is in the United States. He no longer wears his turban and camouflage suit, but has trimmed his beard and wears a suit. Besides meeting with Trump and White House Cabinet members, he’s been filmed enjoying a game of pick-up basketball with Centcom members. I guess this leopard has succeeded in hiding his spots. He has sworn to the U.S. officials that the new, reformed Syria is carrying out operations against the ISIS militants who have been ethnically cleansing Southern Syria of Druze and Christians.

https://youtube.com/shorts/OO3jK_6MvZ8?si=SYKMEbroHhLBS_W_

Down Gaza way, Hamas is still playing games. Weapons have been found to be smuggled intro the Rafah area on the Egyptian border via drone. So the IDF sealed off the area and declared it an active military zone. Any drones coming in from Egypt will now be shot down. We are hearing from the released hostages that Hamas is using every available young person to go underground and manually dig out the tunnels that have been stopped up. 24 hours a day, these kids (most are boys ages 8-13) are being used as slave labor 24 hours a day.

Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad forces (PIJ) are playing games as always. They say they are having problems locating the remains of the six bodies that they have been holding. This past week, several more were returned including two Americans, Omer Neutra and Itay Chen and a Tasmanian Agricultural student who was kidnapped into Gaza and murdered by the civilians there on 7 October.

Last night the body of Captain Hadar Goldin was to be returned. The Red Crescent came to pick up the coffin and return it to the waiting Israeli forces. But let’s backtrack… Hadar Goldin was one of the first soldiers killed (during a ceasefire) in Gaza in 2014. We were still in California and the news came about Hadar and then Max Steinberg, a Lone Soldier from the San Fernando Valley, CA (I knew his parents). Max’s body was retrieved. Hadar’s taken into captivity to be used as leverage against Israel.

Hadar was engaged to be married to a lovely young girl. When he was abducted, his photo was the first to hang on my fridge. His body has been held hostage for almost 13 years now. The Goldin family have traveled the world over to try to put pressure on the international governments and to raise awareness about the plight of their son. And the remains in the coffin yesterday were supposed to be him. But they were not. More games. Now Hamas says it will hand over his body this afternoon. Another card thrown into the pile- the stakes remain the same.

On the brighter side, and speaking of games, last week the Marine Corps Marathon was held in Washington, D.C. (my brother-in-law competes). Let me share with you this story of a young American Israeli hero you might have never heard of.

Mendel Vile’s family left Chicago when he was 7 to move to Israel. They were committed Zionists, believing in the land of Israel rightfully belonging to the indigenous peoples, the Jews. Mendel grew up and became a combat engineer for the IDF. In December, 2023, deep into the Gaza Strip, a Hamas anti-tank missile struck the vehicle he was in. He was only 19 at the time. Several soldiers were killed in the attack. Mendel’s broken, burned body was pulled from the wreckage, shrapnel embedded throughout his body. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he spent 3 months of seemingly endless pain.

“This is it. Is my time over?” he thought in those early days. The medical staff told him to focus on his survival. Friends and family visited him to lift his spirits in a never-ending parade. Daily the nurses told him to be patient, take things slowly. He endured 7 surgeries. Mendel kept repeating one mantra, “One day I will run a marathon.” Of course, in his condition, no one believed him. But he knew HaShem would give him the strength and healing to push forward with his rehabilitation.

Mendel believed beyond all hope. The surgeries were followed by months of grueling physical therapy and rehabilitation just for him to be able to stand on his own. But he was a true warrior. With faith in G-d and his own ability to recover. This week, he finished his race – the Marine Corps Marathon. It was the second he’s run in the past three months. Wrapped in the blue and white of the Israeli flag, he crossed over to personal victory,

Mendel Vile did not run alone. He carried with him on the back of his Jersey, his best friend, Oriya Yaakov, a photo of the buddy that was killed alongside him on that day. As he was running, a young man (wearing a kipa/yarmulka) also trying to finish the race, spotted Mendel. He joined the IDF soldier, who gave him strength to continue. Vile said,”We tried to push each other along. Come on, man, you’re my brother. You’re part of the tribe. Together we are strong. Together we can win. I’ve never been prouder to be an American. An Israeli. a Jew.”

But that’s not the only story. Oh no! Barack Elizor was also a critically wounded IDF soldier back in January,2024. Multiple surgeries and almost two years of intense rehabilitation and physical therapy, Barack just completed the New York Marathon, helping to raise funds for Shalva, an organization for children with special needs.

Not all stories are pleasant. I just finished reading the book Hostage, by Eli Sharabi. A riveting and highly recommended true account of what it was like in the tunnels of Gaza being held a prisoner. Some of the released captives are finding a difficult transition to freedom. Where some have vowed to move on with their lives, stronger in faith and spirit and resolve, others are irreparably (almost) scarred.

This past Thursday night an interview with hostage Ron Braslavski was aired on the Israeli news. It was more than difficult to watch as Ron shared his nightmare. He was held in solitary confinement for two years, starved, whipped, burned and brutally beaten on a daily basis. Through tears and shaking, we heard how PIJ differed from Hamas. More brutal. More degrading. Ron was sexually abused in order to debase him and wipe out his humanity. He was shackled not only hand and foot but tied, naked, by his penis, to the bars of his cage. It was the video of Ron, released in July, that changed the course of the war. For then the world saw the brutality that was taking place inside Gaza.

https://youtube.com/shorts/HArYcaS2S50?si=USdgyRgyarB01vqA

We pray for him and for all the hostages, their loved ones, and the country to be miraculously healed spirit, soul, emotions, mind and body. May they know only love and support. May they find purpose, focus and happier days ahead.

More Stories of Hope and Encouragement. 2 November, 2025

As the former hostages are readjusting to their new lives back home in Israel, stories of faith and hope and encouragement are coming forth. To be sure, what these people experienced was hell on earth, but they clung to their faith in G-d (some finding it for the first time) and the hope of their rescue. This helped to sustain them through the darkest times.

I am currently reading the recently released book, Hostage, by Eli Sharabi. He was held in Gaza for 491 days- almost two years, not knowing that his wife, children, brother, and most of his entire family had been brutally murdered. His one goal was to survive the ordeal. Last week, he buried his brother, Yossi, also taken captive, but returned by Hamas in a coffin. But that is not where the story ends.

Eli has resolved to live. After grieving the loss of his loved ones, he is putting the past behind him. To live the life G-d gave him. Eli has been active advocating for the release of the other captives, and now the bodies that remain in Gaza. This past week, he appeared on the runway at Israeli Fashion Week in Tel Aviv, and has a new girlfriend – his physical therapist. He has been doing countless interviews. Here is a clip from one of them-

https://youtube.com/shorts/4YZp-Ks-tZ0?si=RCIkhd0NCgOZoZpZ

Alon Ohel was actually a “neighbor” of ours. We didn’t know him, but he is from Misgav, the next mountain over. He was released with the other 20 after exactly two years of captivity. A gifted pianist and musician, Ohel, now 24, was held for a time with Eli Sharabi, who was an immense support to him. Alon was severely injured while being taken into Gaza front the Nova festival. He still has shrapnel in his eye and head. His time in the tunnels was especially devastating, spending the last seven months in absolute isolation.

Upon his return home, the entire community lined the streets, waving Israeli flags. Hundreds of people stood outside the family home singing to him. t this past week, he made an appearance on national TV, playing piano and singing with many popular stars here in Israel. It was a moment of pure joy.

https://youtube.com/shorts/TKjBSZD9Ajk?si=MeBQczkW02djjf1a

Bar Kulershtein shared that every Friday evening “underground, beneath the most impure place in the world, we were screaming from the soul and singing praises to the creator of the universe. We would rock the tunnel with our songs for Kabbalat Shabbat. “Shalom Aleichem” and “Lecha Dodi.” We would close our eyes and imagine our loved ones were all present with us at the Shabbat table.” The 21 year old was working as a security guard for the Nova festival. He refused to abandon his post as a guard and paramedics. Bar helped many youth to evacuate the party and stayed behind to nurse the wounded.

Despite being starved, beaten and tortured, he remained strong. He told his mom: “Mom. They beat me but I didn’t feel it – my body was frozen. I trained my mind not to think about the pain.” He never lost hope or faith during the long ordeal. In the tunnels, he dug waste pits, built a little water channel and made a small area where the other hostages he was with could sit alone. He took upon himself the mitzvah of charity. He vowed the 200 shekels he saved in his wallet at home would be donated as soon as he was rescued.

He was not especially religious in his adult life, despite his Modern Orthodox upbringing. Yet, in the tunnels, deep underground he encountered Muslims who prayed five times a day and fasted and observed all their Muslim holidays. Bar told himself that if they are doing that, if they are trying to convince him with bribes to become Muslim,then he would become close to his Creator. He would say the Shema often, and recite all the Psalms he knew by heart.

Former hostage, Matan’s Zangauker miraculously found a worn book of Psalms written in Hebrew on the floor of one of the tunnels. He used it for daily prayer, and credits his faith in *-d for keeping him alive. Besides requesting a tsitsit (fringed undershirt) to wear, one of the first things he did was to don a Kipa and wrap Tfillin on his arm and head and say the Birkat haGomel prayer in thanks for G-d’s deliverance from a life threatening event.

One of the most poignant reunions captured on video was that of Bar reuniting with his father. His dad had suffered a stroke prior to 7October attack. He was paralyzed on one side and unable to walk or talk. He vowed to stand to meet his son when Bar returned home. After two grueling years of rehab, Mr. Kupershtein, with the aid of a walker, rose from his chair and walked over to Bar to embrace him. This was a tremendous gift to everyone.

Beautiful young Agam Berger was one of the seven female captives taken from her army base as a surveillance soldier. Both she and her family, found great strength and deep meaning in keeping their Jewish faith traditions alive. Agam was an inspiration to her fellow hostages, refusing to eat non Kosher foods, keeping the Shabbat, saying her daily prayers, singing to her captors like David sung to King Saul.

Upon her return to Israel, riding in an army helicopter last year, Agam held up a sign that in Hebrew said, “I chose a path of faith and have returned through faith. There is none other/higher than G-d.”

Three weeks after her kidnapping, Agam’s mother had the rabbi bring a Torah scroll into her bedroom. They converted the first floor entrance of their apartment complex into a makeshift synagogue where they held regular services.

Eitan Horn, 37, taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz says that he knew when Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year, took place. He fasted for the first time in his life while in the tunnels.

We cannot begin to fathom the suffering and pain they endured. Yet for all of Israel, every single hostage is a hero just simply for surviving those unimaginable horrors. Even though we celebrate the beauty of renewed lives, their individual pathways to recovery will be difficult. While it is amazing and wonderful that some hostages felt the presence and protection of G-d, others found different sources of strength. Some just clung on one day to the next. Some survivors are giving interviews and speaking openly about their ordeals. Others cannot even begin to open up….and we respect that.

Each freed hostage, each family, has been given a special team of therapists and trauma specialists to help them readjust. All are finding love and healing inm the arms of family. Many have had seudot hodayot, or meals of thanksgiving with all the extended families. Shabbat has become an integral part of their reentry into the world. It has been healing for all to sit at table together thanking their Creator and feasting on comfort food.

https://www.tiktok.com/@noatishby/video/7466157908170984735?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Alon Ohel with family celebrating Shabbat together

May we hear only good news. May those that have been returned continue to find renewal, healing and comfort despite the difficult journey ahead. May they resume their lives stronger, kinder, more patient and loving and much wiser. May their days be happy and successful. May they be filled with love and light.

The Music That Carried Us. 26 October, 2025

This is a longer, but hopefully, vey enjoyable post that you can do at your leisure. Over the past two years I’ve been adding to my playlist of songs that were written and became popular since 7 October, 2025. There are many different genres and I have included as many translations as possible.

For us, 7 October, which should have been the most joyous religious and family holiday turned into a surreal nightmare. We were all shocked to the core, frightened at the possibilities of what would come next as our men and women were called up to defend our country. Would there be more attacks from other borders? We kept hearing of the atrocities and the body count kept climbing. 253 people had been brutally taken hostage into Gaza, the oldest was 86 years old and the youngest only 7 months. We were like zombies those first few weeks, but those that stayed behind sprang into action, gathering supplies, cooking meals and doing everything we knew how to help the troops.

The Jewish people throughout history have been a musical people. Our prayers all have chants and melodies that reflect the places we’ve wandered. We sang at the crossing of the Red Sea (Miriam, who led us in praise and worship was over 90 years old at the time!!!). Young David calmed the frayed nerves of King Saul with the music of the harp. The Levites sang at the Temple. And David the King, composed and sang many of the Tehillim, the Psalms.

Music has sustained us through all of our troubles. Through our joys as well. The melodies carry us through tears and laughter, through death and life. We sing at funerals. We sing at weddings. And we sing and dance before battle.

The songs that have come out of the massacre and subsequent war are songs of hope and longing for better days. Many are patriotic, rallying the troops and lifting the country. Some are therapeutic. They comfort those who mourn and those with survivor’s guilt and PTSD. There are songs of anger and defiance and always songs that call upon G-d. For help, for strength, for protection.

The entire country, just weeks before the war started, split into fighting factions calling for a civil war, was now completely united. One soul, one spirit, one body. We were all brothers, all family. And the song “Acheinu” came to the forefront. Everyone was singing it.

As for our brothers and sisters, the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity, whether they abide on the sea or on dry land: May the All-present have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from trouble to relief,from darkness to light, and from subjugation to redemption, now, speedily and at a near time. Now let us say, Amen.

https://youtu.be/q5DmDnTSMKI?si=rxdH76Z5tn-WqUY7

Hanan Ben Ari’s song from 2020, Shevori Lev….”My Heart is Broken” became a national hymn. We heard it on the radio, on loudspeakers in the malls, and on social media.

Who knows every pain? Who repairs every broken heart? Creates light and darkness? Makes peace and war? Who sits in judgement? Covers in mercy? Pardons and forgives? Sees no knows all? And who will heal my heart? For whom am I longing….like the sea that has no shore. Just tell me who will embrace me and ensure that I will not give up in the end…. Who was, is no will be. Who takes and gives. Renewed life. Opens arms. Grows wings. And who will heal my heart? For whom am I longing….like the sea that has no shore. Just tell me who will embrace me and ensure that I will not give up in the end-

https://youtu.be/z27MZP_4P_U?si=6Hw1hHD2rTpz9dD1

My favorite Israeli artist, Idan Raichel, composed the most gorgeous (they are all gorgeous) and poignant (they are all heart-wrenching) song and melody that became a sudden hit. All of Israel’s artists seemed to be expressing the heart and soul of the nation in their compositions. This one is Tachzor, “Return” sung by Roni Dalumi. It was released just 3 weeks after the attacks.

Return. Return today. I wish you would just come (show up) without any advance notice. Return.

A simple song. A haunting melody. The anguish and longing of a people.

https://youtu.be/sTXAA96W1Ww?si=gAL8cKWB4xo7eaSL

There were songs that were prayers for our military. The prayer John and I pray daily over those defending our country wherever they may be…from distress, sickness, friendly fire, booby traps, kidnapping attempt. Please G-d, keep them safe. Go before them and lead them to victory.

The first video is the traditional version is usually by the IDF choir and cantor. This clip s by the Maccabeats, a male a capella group. I chose this version because it includes the English translation.

The next (video clip) version which starts off with footage of the Six Day War, then the traditional prayer as interpreted by Subliminal went viral. The first is a prayer. The second a rally cry of war and defiance for the strength of G-d to be with the troops in victory and in battle.

https://youtu.be/fvOYgHCihIU?si=D8nRRtSE6rZatkfU

https://youtu.be/efHekdRUOJs?si=-gFrO-i9kPJx8sU4

The men were being called up. All divisions. It was, at first thought, that less than 50% of reservists would answer the call. Instead it was over 100%. People of all ages were volunteering and those that had moved to other countries were flying back home to join. Lone soldiers, kids who leave their homes and families in other countries flew to Israel to enlist. It was incredible.

Here are three of the most popular tunes. There are many more. The first extols the virtues and strength of the Golani Brigade, true infantrymen and women. True fighters. The first lines of defense. “Golani Shell,” “My Golani Unit” is sung by Raviv Coner

https://youtu.be/LRN6QrVuR3E?si=diYqLpOq5UdHOP-d

Israeli national treasure, composer and singer, Yehuda Gaon is still going strong at age 85. I listened to his songs as a teenager. He’s amazing. I’ve seen him perform live several times. This time he filmed himself with the young men and women of the different branches of the IDF. They sing an old song of his: “LoT’nats’chu Oti” – “You Will Not Defeat Me” It is a song of unity, patriotism and strength. And now it has new verses and a new look. It was recorded a mere month after 7 October.

https://youtu.be/7yMw3vG4_kU?si=1UJOLK3mMfmzwveB

We have a saying here in Israel, that during wartime, the kindergarten teacher has a secret identity -she’s really a paramedic. And the lawyer at his desk is a rooftop sniper. My dentist, well, he drives a tank. And the construction worker – he saps (undetonates) bombs. The university student now carries a gun again and my aunt is a radio control tower engineer. Together they are superheroes. The song is done by Hatikvah 6, a very popular group.

(If you have ever watched Fauda, you will see in this video, the Israeli actor, singer and pop superstar, Idan Amedeo. He served in Gaza on the front lines, was injured severely at the beginning of the war, recovered and went back to his unit. Then he was crirtoically injured when an IED exploded. Burned almost beyond recognition, they didn’t know if he’d make it. He had shrapnel throughout his body. After months of rehab, determination,faith and hard work, the entire state of Israel celebrated when he left the hospital, walking on his own).

https://youtu.be/CUaDobraZ1k?si=LXMcgUp7FRJuB2ed

Another by Hatikvah 6 is a rally cry for the IDF….a family of fighters. Again, this one is a roll call for all the different units of the army. “Proudly protecting the Land and its people without fear…and a little crazy, a little fun. Whether with a cannon or a stretcher on my shoulder. We are here for one another. Don’t mess with us. We are the IDF family.” Each unit has its own cheer and this song celebrates that. It is the “Hymn to the Army”

https://youtu.be/V5SpIgH7VHI?si=3uF-0otHhUuBclun

My absolute favorite raw, angry, “Go get ‘em” anthem is “Harbu Darbu.” It was a number one radio hit for a couple months. The Hebrew stand kind of translates into “Swords and Strikes.” Basically

A “don’t mess with us. This time you chose the wrong fight. We are coming after you. And we are never backing down” anthem. It’s really angry, but so were we. In this rap-style song by the duo, Nes and Stilla, every army unit is called up roll call style.

Who are you rats crawling out of the effing tunnels and you people shouting at us ‘Free Palestine? who do you think you are, you children of Amalek? We brought the whole army out to meet you: all in uniforms, men, women, young and old. This time there will be no stopping us….. roll call”

https://youtu.be/1rk3n9V-aQs?si=sWNCFfRtiGXzfZwO

We were angry, but we were also hurting and missing our loved ones. Several songs came out in the memory of a particular person who was killed. And there was survivors’ guilt. This song affirms that it is ok not to be ok. It is ok to be alone. It is ok to want to be with people. It is ok to cry, but it is ok to laugh with friends. It is ok to not want to get up in the morning. It is fine to talks a walk in the forest. It is ok to move on, and it is ok not to. It is ok to not be ok….” The song was done by survivors of the Nova Music Festival and the attacks on the kibbutzim.

https://youtu.be/WlBWOrLqErI?si=fNcpmdbPp1298W6o

We wear a wounded people, and yet this upbeat sounding song tells of the waitinumg. Waiting for the soldiers to come home on leave…please G-d. For the hostages to walk through the door. Come home!! Every Thursday and Friday I had to hold back tears watching video clips of soldiers returning home after weeks of battle…to the arms of their little children. The screams of the wives and the tears of the parents.

https://youtu.be/2p3rtnQ_7y4?si=HLtek-vJuzU741Bx

The following by Ishay Ribo became a number one hit. A song of faith. And of return…of a different kind. A return to G-d. And the country answered with a resounding call to faith that has lasted even until today.

https://youtu.be/Y30pfWIQfoo?si=6jxYL8dVenM3ylU_

And another by Ishay Ribo, “HaLev Sheli“.

My Heart 

My heart is split in

My heart is split in two

What the maidservant could not see by the water

Like a storm from the sea, it pounds

Like Miriam’s timbrel, it beats

And there is no cure in the world

My heart surrenders

https://youtu.be/6U_5KhaH6IM?si=yVGrwLmqvzk2yXi_

For two years, Israel’s entries into the Eurovision international song competition carried the nation and showed our hearts. They were ridiculed and rejected, scoring very low with the judges, but winning the votes of the people. This year, the competition hosts vowed to cancel if Israel was a participant, but after weeks of protests, we were allowed back into the show.

The first song, October Rain, was disqualified. It caused quite a stir as the lyrics were “too political”. They ere not. So the writers got together and worked out new lyrics and the song, still full of emotion, still waiting for the captives to return, with us on the other side in the middle of a hurricane…. Hence, “Hurricane”.

https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=5CeaJhC5OJguRz97

The next song, actually an homage to the Bibas family (the mom, Sheri, the dad and two babies…red headed Ariel and Kfir….stole our hearts. They loved to watch Batman cartoons together. Notice the costume worn by singer, Yuval Rafael….This is a song of hope, strength and optimism. “A New Day Will Rise.”

Note: There is a backstory behind the singer, Yuval Raphael. She attended the Nova Festival with friends. When they realized they were under a severe attack, many of the young people ran to the bomb shelters across the highway. Shelters that were meant for 20 people were packed with 60. Terrorists were shooting and throwing grenades into the concrete bunkers. Many were killed that way. Yuval was in the back of a shelter texting her dad the entire time. He told her to play dead. Her friends were killed next to her and on top of her and she lay wounded and bleeding until being rescued 16 hours later. Yuval would go on to star in and win the Israeli version of The Voice. She was chosen to represent Israel in Eurovision 2025.

https://youtu.be/_7zHp51j2WM?si=fGYrHl7esjinE59Z

I believe it was around the holiday of Purim last year (Queen Esther and Mordechai against Haman and the evil decree to genocide the Jews) that a young soldier in the IDF (he’d only been in service a couple weeks) shot Yahya Sinwar, military commander of Hamas. The evil Hamas was eliminated. And of course, within 24 hours, there was a song-

https://youtu.be/huQxm8YmUPM?si=H0i8I3294a-xshn8

Here are some many more songs. A simple young fellow wrote a simple song about G-do’s love for each and every one of us. The chorus goes- We are loved unconditionally by Him and only good and blessings are bestowed upon us. It will only. Get better and better. This song is played absolutely everywhere all the time. At weddings and funeral, pro Israel rallies and in the army. It is our theme. ״Tamid Ohev Oti” “He Always Loves Me (and blesses me)” Get ready to dance!

https://youtu.be/_7zHp51j2WM?si=eRaTrU9hTcWcBF3W

I know I am leaving out so many. I especially love seeing the Ruach ha Kodesh, the spirit of HaShem, rush mightily upon our soldiers. They sing of G-des protection and blessing. “No fear for He is with us. The people of Israel live. In the spirit of David against the enemies, the Philistines, we also have the victory. The Holy One, Blessed be He is King. there is no other. We pray for all our children. We protect our country. We pray for G-do’s blessings. We are not afraid. Who is meshuggeh/crazy (the rally. Cry of the Golani Brigade) We are crazy and We are not afraid. G-d is king now, then and forever and we give Him thanks and praise…..”

https://youtu.be/5eJqw0t3e9c?si=lOSKSAAjvc99a-CJ

And of course…no list would be complete without the song “ Am Yisrael Chai” – The People of Israel live!! By Eyal Golan

https://youtu.be/1HgKB4-kQdA?si=ORbI-xLQnN5tbGnOhttps://youtu.be/1HgKB4-kQdA?si=ORbI-xLQnN5tbGnO

At What Cost? The Great Trade-Off

All of the nation of Israel is rejoicing in the return of the captives. We’ve endured two long years of their separation from us. Even though we may not know them all personally, we have their names etched into our souls. We know their stories. We’ve seen their faces ever present before us on posters, on bumper stickers, at bus stops and train stations. In our post offices. And stores. They are all a part of this one big extended family we have in Israel. We are all connected.

We are beginning to take off our yellow ribbons. Upon our arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, people were already working to take down the posters and shrines to each of the hostages that had lined the long entrance to the main terminal. Despite the joy, we are asking at what price has this deal been made? Yes. Every singly life is like a universe and every single hostage taken by these terrorists is special and important, but let’s look at the deal: this trade.

251 people were taken captive by Hamas, both alive and already dead (7 October, 2023). The last of the living were returned last week, just 20 men in all. 29 corpses remained, held hostage still in Gaza. Hamas claims through the Red Cross, that it still cannot locate all of the remains of bodies. The Red Cross (who never once made contact with any of the living) said “the recovery of all the bodies will be a massive challenge and some may never be found.”

On Wednesday the bodies of Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, Eitan Levi ware returned. The fourth body was also examined by DNA and found to be a Gazan. It was not a hostage at all. Since then four more have been found and returned.

Tamir Nimrodi, taken at age 18 from the Erez Border Crossing

Tamir’s mother was “still hanging on to hope” that her son was among those still alive. There had been no sign of life from him, but that did not mean he had been killed. An IDF education officer (training soldiers on moral conduct) was last seen on an AlJazeera/TikTok upload barefoot and without his glasses being taken on motorcycle by Gazan civilians.

Uriel Baruch, 35, taken from the Nova music festival

The father of two was described as a “man of joy, happiness and eternal smile,” according to his father-in-law. He was a construction worker who loved to dance to techno music. He loved going to festivals and concerts, where he met his wife. His sons are aged 5 and 8.

Eitan Levi, 53 taken from Route 232

Eitan Levi was a taxi driver. He was murdered in cold blood by Hamas gunmen on Route 232 before his body was abducted into Gaza. He was trying to rescue trapped festival goers to bring them to safety.He had called his son, Shankar, to tell him of the Hams ambush and missiles flying overhead. While on the phone, Shahar heard Arabic shouting and shooting before the call was disconnected. So-called innocent civilians were seen on video upload kicking and beating his dead body as it was dragged through the streets of Gaza City on 7 October. He is described as a “devoted father and quiet, gentle family man.” The highlight of his week was Friday night Shabbat dinner with his family.

Yossi Sharabi, 53 taken from Kibbutz Be’eri

On the morning of 7 October, 2023 the sleepy kibbutz of Be’eri was awakened to the unreal nightmare of a full scale Hamas terrorist invasion. Homes were broken into and burned, with people still alive in them. Women and young girls were brutally gang raped and dragged outside to be mutilated and shot. Families were separated. Many were kidnapped. Eli and Yossi Sharabi, brothers and neighbors, were both taken as captives. Eli’s wife and two daughters were killed (unbeknownst to him). Eli was released this past February, skin and bones. He was told his family was waiting for him. His brother, Yossi, had died of untreated wounds while in captivity, reported the IDF in January, 2024. He was finally brought home and laid to rest in the family plot at Be’eri.

Bipin Joshi, 23

Young Bipin Joshi was from Nepal. He was not Jewish or Israeli, but Hindu. Let that sink in. He had only been in Israel for about a month, to study agricultural techniques on Kibbutz Alumim. He was one of 17 Nepalese students on the kibbutz. Bipin valiantly defended the kibbutz residents from the Hamas attack by throwing back the grenades that had been thrown inside the shelter. He was injured and somehow caught and taken into Gaza. Reports are still unclear as to his exact capture and death. His mother and younger sister, Pushpa, traveled multiple times to Kathmandu, Israel and the United States to advocate for his release. Ten other Nepalese students were killed that day, their bodies returned to Nepal for burial.

Israel still awaits the discovery and return of 19 other bodies. In return for both the 20 live and all bodies held captive, Israel agreed to the release of 2000 hardened prisoners. Let us learn about a few of those who were released back into Gaza, Judaea and Samaria, and East Jerusalem. They have been tried and convicted. 250 were serving life sentences.

At least 160 of the newly freed prisoners leave not only as heroes, but as “terrorist millionaires.” Under the Palestinian Authority (Mahmoud Abbas/Abu Magen) and the Pay to Slay program, a terrorist and his family are awarded huge sums of money for each person they kill. If a jihadist becomes a shahid, or is killed during an attack or capture, their family is awarded a lifetime martyr’s salary. Abbas never ended the payment of terrorists and their families, although he has promised multiple times to do so. To date, over $70 million has been funneled to the PA from the EU, UK, and UN Humanitarian programs. The US under the Obama and Biden administrations also sent millions to the Palestinian Authority, which was sanctioned as a terrorist sponsor under Trump.

Iyad Abu Al-Rub

Al-Rub served as an Islamic Jihad commander in Jenin, Samaria (West Bank). He planned and helped execute several deadly attacks: a June, 2003 grocery store suicide bombing in which a 12 year old wearing a suicide vest was detonated in a busy shopping site. The Sting Club bombing in Tel Aviv in February, 2004 and the Hadera Market suicide attack in2005.

Al- Rub left prison with at least 1,067,600 NIS/shekels. Equivalent to $323,800. His family has also received at least the equivalent of $801,323 from the PA.

Riyad Al-Amor

Member of the Bethlehem jihadist terror cell responsible for multiple attacks during the Second Intifada. Killed 9 Israelis, 3 Arab Christians. Serving 11 life sentences. He leaves prison with nearly 1,300,000 NIS/shekels. That translates to almost $400,000. He was also tried and sentenced for the kidnapping and murder of 72 year old Avi Boaz, from Samaria.

Ahmad Jamal Ahmad Qanba

Palestinian Authority police officer who participated in the 2000 Ramallah lynching , leaves Israeli prison with $478,362 in his bank account. Direct deposit. His family has been collecting over $250,000.

Ahmad Kaabneh

Murdered two women in14997, Hagit Zawitsky from Kfar Adumim and Liat Kastiel from Holon. Serving two life sentences.

Mohammad Shmasneh

Hamas commander serving life for murdering four. He leaves with nearly 2 million NIS/shekels – roughly $555,500. Kidnapped two Israeli teenagers and a taxi driver in 1990 and an IDF soldier in 2001. His family has been paid over a million dollars by the PA over the past two decades.

Mahmoud Moussa Issa

Hamas leader.Sentenced to 30 years behind bars. Kidnapped and murdered Border Police officer Nissan Toledano, 29, in 1992. A former member of the PA, he joined Hamas in the late 90s. Helped establish “military cells in Jerusalem” according to the Palestinian Information Center. Helped plan and take part in the Al Qassam Brigades 7October attacks. He leaves prison a rich man, receiving over $600,000 from the PA.

Imad Salah Abd Al-Fattah Qawasmeh

Senior Hamas terrorist responsible for several deadly attacks against Israelis. One such killed 16 and injured more than 100. Serving 16 life sentences on charges ranging from weapons trafficking to murder. He has earned more than 1,135,000 NIS or $345,250. His family has received $922,431.

Jihad a-Karin Aziz

Participated in lynching of IDF reservists, Vadim Norzitch and Yosef Avrahami (2000) and the abduction/murder of Yuri Gushchin (2001).

Baher Badr

Responsible for 2004 Tzirfin bombing planned with Al-Rub (see above). Sentenced to 11 life sentences.

Jihad Rum

Murdered teenager, Yuri Goshtsin from Piaget Zeev in 2001.

Ayham Kamamgi

Al Aqsa Brigade commander in Jenin, Samaria. Sentenced to two life sentences for kidnapping and murder of Eliyahu Oshri.

Many of the released prisoners have received heroes’ welcomes when they returned to Gaza, Judaea and Samaria. Sweets and candies were handed out in celebration of their return. NBC, BBC, and CNN reported on “joyous scenes inside the Palestinian Territories.” As the bus loads of prisoners made their way into the area, they were met with parades and the shooting off of guns into the air.

On. A Positive Note. War Stories. Day 695. 31 August, 2025

I thought I’d leave things on a positive note. This will be my last post for awhile (unless something major happens, which I pray it does not) as we will be leaving for 6 weeks in the UK and Netherlands visiting family and friends.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Sudan. Israel has been sending humanitarian aid to Sudan as they face a severe shortage of resources needed to combat the cholera epidemic they are experiencing. Included in the pallets of aid are gloves, masks, sanitizing liquid, water purification systems, medicine, hygiene kits and food.

Israeli resilience. A fighter in the Netzach Yehuda battalion, Sagi D., had his leg ripped off when 3 RPGs were fired at his unit. His best friend was killed. Sagi was medivac’ed to Sheba Medical Center in critical condition where he was placed in a temporary coma. He survived his injury. He survived the coma and sedation. He survived the deadly infection that attacked his body. Yet he never broke. At Sheba’s shikum (rehab center) he continues to train…with one leg and the heart of a lion. He won’t give up. He never stops. He is the Israeli definition of a hero.

Answered prayers. Exactly one year ago, at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, Agam Berger’s mother and sister (Agam was one of the 7 female soldiers abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza) prayed at the tomb of a famous rabbi for her release. Last Tuesday, Agam, her sister and her mother all gathered together at that same place to give thanks to G-d for her homecoming. They prayed for the safety and quick release of the remaining 50 hostages.

A True Nes/Neis (a nes is a miracle in Hebrew.

Another nes. Soldiers escape kidnapping attempt. A couple weeks ago, a squad of Hamas terrorists surfaced from two separate terror tunnels. They were dressed as civilians but carried guns and a portable missile launcher. It was all captured by Israeli drone footage. They were attempting to surprise and kidnap 15 IDF soldiers, but the group was alerted by intelligence and managed to to stave off their attackers. 12 terrorists were killed. 3 managed to run back to their tunnel. The plan to kidnap was foiled. One IDF soldier was lightly wounded.

Innovations in Medicine. There was a medical breakthrough at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. On 21 July, surgeons performed the first ever minimally invasive brain surgery through the eye socket. They removed a rare skull base tumor without opening the skull. Thanks to the teamwork of neurosurgery, oculoplastics and ENT specialists, the young patient regained her health with minimal disruption to vision and appearance. (Credits, Jonny Daniel’s) It was a milestone in patient centered neurosurgery.

Prayerful and Powerful Beginning. Elul is the month where Jewish people examine their consciences and repent of their sins before the L-rd as a way to prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. Israeli super superstar Omer Adam held a sold out concert last Wednesday. He began the concert by leading the entire audience in the Slichot prayers of repentance. That’s my country for you. Welcome to Israel. Absolutely everyone joined in.

Amazing announcement from an Israeli kid…. Get the hankies out. So eloquent!!!!

Long Awaited Wedding! American-Israeli citizens living on Kibbutz Kfar Aza were kidnapped on 7 October, 2023. Aviva was returned in December of 2023, but Keith lingered in the terror tunnels until this past April. Their daughter, Shifa, who was engaged at the time, vowed not to get married until both parents could be there to celebrate by her side. Last Monday, her dream was realized.

A Prayer for the Children. Some pop stars in other countries sing about breakups. About body shaming. About fast cars and drug use. There are cute songs and dance songs. In some cultures, they sing of war and death. But in Israel it’s quite different, poignant and refreshing, in fact. We went to a concert a couple weeks ago. Hanan Ben Ari. I wish I had recorded it, but I was able to find this piece with English subtitles. This YouTube upload is 3 years old, but Amen – For the Children remains a popular song today.

https://youtu.be/gkmUhUw30Yg?si=oO0ef7uhRBV0179Dw

Two beautiful videos. Every Friday, Israeli singer, Omri Goren, sings with his little nine year old daughter. The first song in Hebrew is about waiting for (the hostages) to return home to their loved ones and the waiting arms

https://youtube.com/shorts/Dbd_xrybLg4?si=YEhzsl8gAfRTzDjs

Here, Omri (also an IDF reservist) sings to his newborn son before the Shabbat starts. He sings Psalm , my favorite…I look towards the mountains from whence comes my help….

https://youtube.com/shorts/RVQGGXuKAGU?si=_4bChWfcsfWwsnIN

And one last absolutely adorable video. I just can’t stop watching it. It’s sooooo cute. My grandson was playing in my daughter’s garden. He took one of the mesh vegetable protectors as a knight’s helmet. He’s 16 months and trying so hard to speak. Enjoy…

The Good, the Evil and the Ugly. War Stories. Day 690. 26 August, 2025.

To strive for accuracy in reporting. To write with moral clarity. To try to have empathy and to be able to see different sides of a story. To know history and to try to see a path forward. To be relevant and to “entertain” to a point. And to try to present hope and encouragement in a darkened world. It’s not always easy to bring it all together and to keep the proper perspective.

My parents lived (as first generation, full Americans) at the time of the Holocaust. My dad served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. My two uncles who spoke Yiddish helped liberate the death camps. My grandparents on both sides were able to escape the pogroms of Eastern Europe/Russia and the gas chambers and concentration camps of the Nazis in time. Many of my relatives “didn’t make it” and only their pictures remain. The older generation had firsthand stories to tell.

It was always “us” (the Jewish people) and “them” (everyone else). I don’t think it helped that I grew up in the South at the time of segregation, both racial and religious. I vividly remember signs on hotels and restaurants and on the gates of the country club/golf course/swimming pool that said “No Negroes. No Jews. No dogs.” True fact. Often I was the only Jewish kid in my class. Our was the one house in the neighborhood without Christmas lights. It was an area in the country where the KKK was present and active. Outwardly, we did not show any signs of Judaism for our own personal safety.

I grew up with a fear of Christians. They were the ‘other.’ I knew all the atrocities committed throughout history at the hands of the Christians. It wasn’t pretty. Forced exclusions. Blood libels. Ghettoes. Killings. Inquisitions. Expulsions and Holocausts. We were different. We were Jewish. We ate different foods and stayed away from certain foods altogether. We celebrated different holidays. Even spoke a different language (my parents, although well educated professionals, spoke mostly Yiddish at home).

As I grew older, left home and entered university and later the world, most of my friends were various denominations of Christian. The older I became the more I realized that not all Jews are good and not all Christians are bad. We are all human. We are all fallible. We have a good inclination and an evil inclination and are faced with temptation to do the wrong things every single day.

That said, and to be fair, I do not approve of the actions of all Jewish Israelis here. I understand many of the ultra Orthodox still carry a fear and dislike of the “other,” but this past week’s defacement of signage is wrong. Groups of Jewish teens spray painted in black over the highway signs pointing to churches like Capernaum and Tabgha here in the Galilee. The signs for the Mount of Beatitudes were defaced. As were other Christian holy sites signage. It is disrespectful. It is wrong.

I find it repugnant when some of the extremely religious Jewish youth spit on Christians or heckle priests and monks in Jerusalem. It is unacceptable behavior. Fear or no fear. Bad history or none. It does nothing to advance dialogue, community-building or peaceful living.

Many Bible believing Christians are the greatest friends and supporters of Israel. We share the same foundation. The same values, and many of the same Scriptures, prayers and roots. We cooperate in work to preserve the same freedoms, work ethics, education, culture and ideals that form Western civilization.

Here in the Holy Land all Israeli citizens have full rights according to the law. It matters not if one is Jewish, Christian, Druze, Muslim or Baha’i. We share the same benefits – access to health care and education and freedom to worship in the way we choose. Yet age old tensions exist and are very real.

I cannot begin to imagine the Catholic parishioners’ plight in Gaza at this time. At the very beginning of the conflict, the IDF encouraged them to leave for safer places. Several countries and parishes abroad offered to take them in, but for some reason, they decided to stay in their homes and their church. Even the women and children. In the middle of a war zone.

I have been asked why we chose to stay in Israel despite the war. John and I discussed our situation, which was completely different than the families in Gaza. We were not near a front or in a war zone. Israel has spent their money on multiple layers of defense to protect their citizens. Everyone has a fortified room in their home or apartment or nearby. There are concrete bunkers everywhere. Early warning systems and sirens alerting us of the trajectory of any incoming missile. Plus, John and I have extreme faith in G-d and have never once felt our lives were in danger. We do not have children or other family here.

The Holy Family Parish has been well stocked with all the supplies they need. They have received material help from Medical Mission Board, Aid to the Church in Need, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Charities, the Vatican, and individual church donations. In addition to UN and international aid, there are warehouses in Jordan chock full of everything from dry goods to hygiene products, medicines to generators, water and fuel.

Yes. It is a war zone. Yes. They have made the choice to stay and not evacuate. Yes. They have been hit by an accidental IDF tank shelling which unfortunately and sadly killed three people and did minor damage to the outside roofing structure of the church. At the beginning of the conflict two women were shot just outside the church (despite what was originally reported) by snipers. That is a true tragedy. But if you look at their church services posted to social media and YouTube, the people are clean and fed. There is electricity. There is always incense and candles and fresh floral arrangements on the altar. That is a good thing. I am glad they have their immediate needs met.

I understand the need to be a light and to be strong in the face of adversity. Partially for this reason, and partially because they had supplies and protection, Holy Family Church has taken in hundreds of their non-Christian neighbors seeking sanctuary or shelter. The church offers a small bastion of security for these people because the IDF neither targets Christians nor their holy sites, despite what you might hear. I have received verifiable information from four separate and trustworthy sources, and I cannot reveal their names at this time for obvious reasons, that Hamas has not booby trapped or targeted this building because they have “protektzia.”

Living in the Middle East, I have learned the term “protektzia.” It is a known fact that there are Russian Mafia who control some of the Russian Israeli population and Muslim/Bedouin Mafia. If a targeted business or family refuses to pay the ‘protektzia money’ they can expect damage and harm to building, home and family…even leading to death. A prime example of this is in Bethlehem (and now Nazareth). Palestinian Muslim thugs demand high payment/graft from the Christian business owners in return for not having physical harm done. As a result, the Christian population has dwindled as they move to safer countries providing refuge.

One of the reasons the church in Gaza has not been hit is that they are paying large sums of money directly to Hamas for protection – the money they get from charitable donations. So, I’m hoping it is inadvertently, at least at first, that terrorism is supported. Also, I have heard directly from priests who have visited that their fresh fruits and vegetables and meat come at an exorbitant monetary price and from those who have been hoarding the stolen food to sell at Black Market cost. Directly from the terrorists. It’s a tangled web.

There is one particular Catholic aid organization run by an American man, that on the surface is slick and glossy and uses some great deception tactics to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. The founder is extremely anti Israel and anti semitic to a degree I have not seen before. He has appeared on EWTN and many podcasts and religious sites making a plea for money. And he has disseminated blood libels like nothing I’ve ever witnessed from a Christian. Absolute dangerous falsehoods. I will not mention his name, but if you are Catholic, you have probably seen his appeal. I have no doubt his original intentions were to be an aid and lifeline for suffering humanity. But something is just not right.

He claims that “Israel had dropped a 2000 pound bomb on the oldest church in Gaza founded by James himself. These were the original believers and the church has stood for over 2000 years.” This is completely false. The IDF does not have a 2000 pound bomb (that’s why they called I the US to help with Iran’s nuclear sites) and they have not targeted and destroyed a Gaza church. He states that “Israel is purposely starving and targeting the poor Christians of Gaza.” Another falsehood. On his presentations he shows the horrific and absolutely pathetic (arousing pity and emotion) photos of the sick children that he says are starving. These are the photos that the BBC and New York Times among other outlets have had to recant as not telling the whole story. The children had preexisting medical conditions. He displays the photos of children lined up with pots and pans begging for food through a metal fence. That entire video has been proven to be a ‘Pallywood’ staged event. The videos and pictures are heart wrenching.

This man talks about the sordid living conditions. Not having fuel or access to clean water. He has reported that just last week Israel bombed two warehouses of diapers and cans of formula and baby supplies. Another falsehood. The warehouses in question were proven upon investigation to be weapons storage units for the Hamas terrorists. Lastly, he says that over 50 of his men were shot and killed while trying to deliver the aid trucks.

I have heard from my four sources who know this man that he has paid tens of thousands of US dollars and European euros to hire Hamas operatives, and sometimes these armed escorts have been shot by other Hamas terrorists who attempt to subvert the deliveries. His libels about the Israeli army have been picked up by Catholic outlets and podcasters and are leading to vast hatred of Zionists, Israel, Jews…and also Christian Zionists, who he also badmouths. His language is incendiary and he always ends his pitch with a plea for monetary donations.

At present the parish is in a vey precarious position. Last Thursday, the IDF started mass evacuations of Gaza City. They handed out tents, yoga mats, sleeping bags, food and hygiene boxes, water and had medics to care for any minor medical problems. The priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, reported that they had received tents and directives and were preparing to leave against their will. They do not know what will be left when they return. It is war and it is not pretty.

The next day, the priest said he had not received any word of evacuation. They had not been given tents or supplies or any direction whatsoever. They were staying put. The IDF has plans to move in and completely clear out the area of terrorists. Because of the dignity and value of innocent civilian life, evacuations of women, children and elderly has already begun. It is mandatory. Yesterday Fr. Romanelli said they were evacuating. It is all quite confusing.

There is strong reason to believe that these poor parishioners are being used as human shields, as pawns by Hamas. That is their modus operendi. If any of these poor people, G-d forbid, is hurt, the onus will be on the evil Israelis (Jews). The church is most likely going to be booby trapped by Hamas or brought down by the IDF as the neighborhood will be an active military zone. I pray that is not the case. I ask you to pray for the protection of these people. They are in an awful place.

The Catholic Church has called for a complete ceasefire and “end to the barbarity in Gaza.” There is no mention of the release of hostages or of the complete disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Daesh. They have also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which has rewarded Hamas and caused them to cease all negotiations. In their eyes, they have won international support and therefore are victorious.

It is the blood libel of targeted attacks, intentional starvation, genocide that have the power to incite violence and antisemitism. Three weeks ago I received an email from a subscriber who follows some of these well-meaning, but vitriolic religious pundits. I was shaken to my core. It was a picture of Crusaders with his message below:

Do you not think it is time for another Crusade? It is time to rid the Holy Land of the Jews and the Muslims. Deus veult. You cannot be both American and Israeli. It is time to make your choice.

I still have lots and lots of Christian friends and supporters from all denominations. I cherish them deeply. But this. THIS. It scares the hell out of me. This is why some Jewish people are still wary and have a fear of the other…..

In this photo, the child had leukemia and was flown on a special transport to Jesu Bambino Pediatric Hospital in Italy. Hassan died last week.

Weimar 1935. War Stories. Day 689. 25 August, 2025.

These next two features will be my last postings for the next couple months…unless something happens, which I pray it does not. John and I are going to England to be with our son as he graduates (I’ve never been to London!!). Then the three of us will head up to the beautiful English countryside to spend time with our daughter, son-in-law and their two little ones. We shall make day trips, a weekend in the Netherlands and an excursion to the Peak District in England. It should be fun. I can’t wait. Castles. Manor homes. Antique stores, charity shops, local farms. potteries and museums, tiny villages and giggling children whose tiny little hands fit into yours. And British accents. And afternoon tea. Hopefully, it will be a peaceful and welcomed respite from the troubles of the world.

For me and for my fellow Jews, it’s beginning to feel like history is in repeat mode. It’s 1935/36 Weimar (Germany) all over again. We have all heard the slogan, “Never again.” Never again to the antisemitism. To the exclusion from restaurants, hotels, shops. Never again will our jobs be restricted. Will our properties be defaced. Will our children and our own bodies be beaten up. Will we be hunted down. But it is happening all over again. Friends from California, New York and New Jersey and Boston are writing me that they no longer feel safe. My neighbor’s family has just made Aliyah to Israel from South Africa. Even in Praetoria they were beginning to feel the unsettling. The storm clouds are gathering. And history seems to be repeating itself with very few people standing up for the Jews.

Antisemitism is reaching a point of no return. Hundreds of thousands of haters are marching through the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Berlin, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Malmo, Bruges, Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, Leicester, Dublin, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Detroit…disguising themselves as human rights activists who just care about the plight of the poor Palestinians in Gaza. It seems to be becoming a daily occurrence.

In the grandest of all ironies, the media is pushing the line that the Jews have become the modern day Nazis. They feed the world lines about how Israel intentionally starves little children and drops 2000 pound bombs on the oldest church in existence. The IDF shoots civilians lined up for aid indiscriminately, as for sport. They burn down churches. The Jews target Christians.

They are all pedophiles. Like Epstein and Weinstein. As the Rothschilds, they control the world’s banks and they run Hollywood. It was the Jews that were responsible for 9/11….and they control your life. The Jews are behind the random canceling of certain news pundits, musicians and artists.

Netanyahu is Hitler. He is a Fascistic dictator who is prolonging the war. He does not seek compromise or negotiation. He just wants to hold onto power. He dictates to Washington. He will lead us into World War III. The Jews are bent on taking over the world in a grand cabal. Just look at their flag. The Jewish star is actually a satanic hexagram and it was invented in 1886.

Israel is merely a political state founded in 1948 by the British with no actual legitimacy. It has no right to exist. Israel is a colonial and apartheid state. The Jews claim Biblical basis for settling in ‘Isreal’, but actually the Church holds the claim since Christianity replaced Judaism when the Jews rejected and killed the Messiah. They lost their claim to land or people. They are the perfidious synagogue of satan.

These are all 100% claims I’ve been keeping track of. I seriously have them in files. Written files and video files. The articles and voices come from high up government and church officials. Prime Ministers. Ambassadors. Patriarchs and priests. World renowned pastors and evangelists. Pundits and news commentators. Rock stars and celebrities. Authors. Mayors. And then comments from the masses. I have thousands of them. Literally. It’s a documentation of history.

I spend a lot of my time paying close attention to politics and what is being said. I’m a watcher. Things are reaching a critical point. Jews are being openly assaulted with impunity in the streets. New York, London, Los Angeles, and throughout Europe. What we are seeing now is Germany, 1937. From Palestinians supporters. The pro-Gaza people. Not just Muslims and Islamist fanatics but progressively woke Europeans and Americans. Regular folk. University professors. School teachers. Even the LGBT2spirit+ crowd.

Last week, in Paris, an olive tree planted to commemorate the life of Ilan Halimi, was cut down. It was planted 14 years ago to remind the world of the Jewish man, kidnapped and tortured for 24 days in Paris. He was found naked, handcuffed to a railroad track and died on the way to the hospital. His body gave out. Now his tree is no longer.

Also, just this past week, the Jewish Community Center, Temple, and walls just off the Woodland Hills/Reseda, California (my old neighborhood!!!!) were spray-painted with swastikas, anti Israel and anti Jewish graffiti. Parents are afraid to walk their children to school. It’s in the Wilbur area, for those of you who are familiar…also, in Seattle, a synagogue was vandalized with swastikas and the word ‘gas’ in red spray paint.

Earlier this month, 50 Jewish children coming home from two weeks at summer camp were kicked off a Veuling Airlines plane for quietly singing. Their 22 year old counselor was handcuffed, thrown to the ground, kicked and arrested.

In Chatel, France, vacationing Jewish families awoke to find their cars graffitied with the words “Free Palestine” and other slurs painted across their vehicles. When the person who rented the 4 families their vacation homes found out that a Jewish group was “congregating” in one of the homes (there were 9 adults and 13 children having a Shabbat service), she evicted them all from the properties immediately, refusing a refund.

Just this week, a woman in Leeds, England was accused of striking a Jewish man with a metal pole and throwing hot coffee in his face. “This is because you killed babies in Gaza,” she was heard screaming.

My son was going to take his girlfriend to Athens in two weeks to propose to her. They have, thankfully, cancelled that trip. You see, in just the past weeks Israeli families have been forced out of their hotels for being Israeli. Young Jewish men wearing kippas (yarmulkes) have been severely beaten. Greece is no longer a safe vacation spot for Israelis or Jews. In several countries, soldiers who served in the IDF are being doxxed and ejected. A couple of former soldiers on vacation have been arrested for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Greece, Brazil and Malaysia.

So long as the Free Palestine movement refuses to denounce their violent tactics, and so long as government officials and peoples of the world stay silent, Jews will continue to be open targets of violence and hatred. Hamas, Hizbulla, ISIS and others are truly terrorist organizations. Praising these groups incites more violence against Jewish people.

This past Saturday, a Jewish man and his friend sat in a local pub in Manchester, England. discussing politics. The man was not visibly a Jewish, but was overheard defending Israel. Another man came up and spat on him. He then proceeded to punch the Jewish man in the face, leaving him with a black eye and two broken teeth. Also in Manchester, two men drove around “shooting” visibly Jewish families with a water gun. This is not just playful sport. It is targeting people because of their religion. The videos went viral online. Authorities interviewed the two and called it a “harmless joke.”

Six days ago, a London hospital was plastered with posters reading “Zionism is Poison.” They were only removed after one patient’s complaint. This was at University Hospital, and spokespeople say they acted quickly to dismantle the inflammatory protests in order to ensure the safety and feelings of well being for all patients. UK Lawyers for Israel are demanding a full investigation. UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert issued a swift apology, reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to inclusivity for all. Security personnel were instructed to remain vigilant in order to provide a safe atmosphere.

In Vienna, Austria, an Uber driver attacked a Jewish family last week. The occupants were the two parents and their children, ages 10 and 13, and their 76 year old grandparents. They were en route to a birthday party. When the driver heard their Israeli accents and found out they were, in fact, visiting from Israel, he began shouting “murderers” and “child killers!” He refused on the spot “to transport child killers,” forced the family out and physically beat the father. Uber temporarily suspended the driver and the family is filing criminal charges. “ If decisive action is not taken against this, by politicians and the rule of law, as well as by civil society, by individual activists on the streets or in social media, in editorial offices and by cultural workers, by teachers and others in our society, then there will soon be no place left for Jews in Europe,” Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna wrote on Facebook.

On 8 August (this video has gone viral), Montreal multiple onlookers stood idle and filmed the incident as a Jewish man was severely beaten in broad daylight in front of his children. He was pushed into a fountain and his kippa kicked beyond reach. Antisemitism in Canada is out of control. For some, the anti Israel, anti Zionist rhetoric has spilled over into anti Jewish vitriol. In Canada, even the very conservative, Catholic author and podcaster, Mark Mallet, has fallen into this. I will address this particular case later in the week.

Three firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in Obninsk, Russia, just over a year after it was targeted in another arson attack. That was 12 August. Last month, a Melbourne, Australia synagogue was firebombed with 22 .families inside. Thank goodness the fire was contained at the door. It could easily have become deadly. Only over a mile away, that same evening, an Israeli restaurant was attacked as protestors stormed in, overturning tables and shouting “Death, death, to the IDF.”

Saturday, a 65 year old man wearing a kippa was brutally beaten by three men in Paris. He was on his was to synagogue at 10am when a car stopped in front of him. Two passengers got out pretending to ask for directions and began brutally beating him with kicks and punches and metal rods. His Star of David necklace was torn off his neck and he was doubled up on the sidewalk. The attackers are still at large.

Two months ago in Alexandria Egypt, a Canadian/Israeli dual citizen was gunned down as he was touring the land. Egyptian authorities claim it was a robbery gone wrong, but a militant group claimed responsibility. They claimed they “killed the Jewish man in retaliation for Gaza” and posted images of the shooting as proof (way too graphic to display here).

Yesterday, German activists were doused with red paint as they held up posters of Israeli hostages in a Frankfurt park. Sasha Stawski, a 55 year old real estate agent, and president of the antisemitism league was hosting a public demonstration to raise awareness of the 50 captives still being held by Hamas. 20-30 people, some wearing Friedrich Merz masks over their faces, pushed the germ up aside violently. Anti Jew and anti Israel chants erupted and four women doused the activists with cans of red paint. Frankfurt police were called in to disassemble the crowds. They said they would be increasing their presence in the area. No arrests were made. The Jewish community in Frankfurt and throughout Germany has been seeing an uptick in anti Jewish violence since 7 October.

Last Saturday in Cologne, Germany the wheel chair basketball championship was underway. The team from Great Britain all turned their wheelchairs around in protest of the Israeli team. One of the Israeli players stated, “It felt like they were humiliating us and bringing unrelated issues onto the sport court.” Antisemitic slurs are being hurled at football games across Europe. German Düsseldorf football league unsigned Jewish athlete Shon Weissman after fan backlash over his hiring. That was August 9 of this year.

These are merely a few of the hundreds of reports I’ve been keeping track of. All are downloaded or perinted out and filed away for safekeeping and documentation.

Qatar is funding the educational systems and universities (yes, along with China) in the U.S., across Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. Mufti Hamid Patel, head of the Office for Standards is the Chief Education Minister in Great Britain.

In New York, a new police patrol system has gone into effect complete with official squad cars and uniformed officers. It is the Salaam Aleikum Patrol of Muslim police. Mamdani, an anti Israel, anti Jewish, Communist Islamist is in the lead for New York mayor. Most of the mayors and regional council officials in England, France, Belgium and Sweden are Islamists. In the Belgian city of Antwerp, 26 Jewish homes were marked with red paint, red handprints and triangles. Just last week, a Muslim woman went out in the hot weather with her shoulders uncovered. A group of ‘Muslim brothers’ passing by, surrounded and brutally beat her. Many parts of London and Paris are now “no-go zones.” Enter at your own risk. Sharia laws strictly enforced. And it is coming to cities like Dearborn, Michigan.

So few people throughout the world are taking this seriously. Jews are being targeted globally. it is being proclaimed by protestors, political figures, pastors and pundits that Jews are genocidal thriving colonizing pedos with no claim to a homeland or history, who are hell bent on controlling the world. Then people cannot seem to figure out why in the world Jewish property is being defaced and Jews are being beaten and disembarked and refused service on the streets of Europe and America? The crimes are being ignored and normalized and the Jewish people are downright scared.

In my next posting on Wednesday or Thursday, I will be discussing modern day blood libels. These are actual complete fabrications, made-up stories against Jews in order to promote violence and eventual extermination of that ‘pernicious race.’ It is an article that traces the history from the early 400’s to modern times. It has resurfaced today through modern outlets and is a warning sign of things to come-

Tomorrow we are traveling down to the Gaza Envelope for a story I’ve been commissioned to write on the 3rd anniversary of 7 October. I will be also visiting one of the kibbutzim that was attacked as well as shelters and the Nova Festival site. We will conclude the trip by spending time at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv. I have four interviews set up and will do one special remembrance blog post on this. I will interview a member of the regional council, an IDF soldier in the reserves who has served five tours in Gaza, a resident of Nahal Oz Kibbutz, and a paramedic.

The Devil in the Details (Hunger Games 2.0). Day 666. 2 August, 2025

I’ve ruminated about this post all day. Shabbat, the Sabbath, is supposed to be a holy, peaceful day of complete rest from all the world’s madness. Today was most fittingly Day 666 in the war, for any inclined to be superstitious or prophetic. The war rages on – not only for the civilians of Gaza, for the hostages and their families, or the soldiers fighting an evil enemy, but the war rages on for the minds of the spectators of the world.

Just before Shabbat began (with a very real bang from the interception of a Houthi missile over Yerushalayim), Hamas released two videos of captive Israeli men taken from the Nova Music festival on 7 October, 2023. But I will come back to that….

In the past week, three very professional photographs were circulated throughout the world. They were supposed to be stark reminders of the cost of war and the effects of the Israelis who were starving the children of Gaza. Two pictures featured mothers (not starving) holding emaciated children. These photos truly tugged at the heartstrings of the world. No one wants to see starving, suffering babies. It is nothing short of horrific. The other photo showed a young girl screaming through iron bars, begging for food.

All three photographs, while incredibly moving and evoking both pity and horror, were not telling the truth. The two emaciated children had pre-existing genetic conditions – cerebral palsy and spinal bifida. The one boy, featured on the Sunday edition front page New York Times as well as the UK Daily Mail, le Monde and other newspapers and media outlets, had been flown by Israel to a pediatric hospital in Italy. He was not even in Gaza. The photo of the beautiful screaming girl was a picture dredged up from 2014. She was a Yazidi girl being taken away as a sex slave by ISIS in northern Iraq.

Hamas is playing sick games with propaganda at this point in the war. There is a true Hunger Games occurring for many innocent civilians not associated with any of the terror groups in Gaza. While tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid sit undistributed in the sun within Gaza’s borders, the world is made to think there is a huge Israeli inflicted famine. On the other hand, videos of gangs of armed Hamas hijacking the few trucks of food that did make it in to Gaza are ignored and go uncirculated. The press refuses to pick up that narrative.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMtJTGTJnlI/?img_index=1&igsh=MTkzb3BsdGZzNWRzOA==

The world is being fed the diet that innocent Palestinians are risking their lives to paddle into the sea for airdropped aid. Which is it? The media only shows one side. So, I did my own sleuthing, working on a hunch. Unbelievably, I got an advert for a restaurant in Gaza that is open and serving food. Lots of food. Fresh food. They were even offering 20% discounts to those who paid digitally. I went on Yelp, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram actively seeking out restaurants and cafes in Gaza. I checked the dates of their last postings. They had to be within the past three months to be considered. I found scores. More than 60. I will share just a few with you.

This clip features all the cafes and restaurants and grocers still open for business in Gaza

There is a great deception taking place. These are the true Hunger Games. Because the truth has been hidden, people are falling for the lies. It is no conspiracy. And the lies are having their intended effect. Because no one wants to see starvation.

Last week, after a series of PR wins, Hamas cut off all further negotiations and contact with international mediators. This comes after President Macron of France, followed by Kier Starmer of the UK, Prime Minister Carney in Canada, Bolsinaro in Brazil, Australia, Spain…. all stated they would recognize an official Palestinian state. In addition, at the UN in New York, the Vatican called for a two state solution and recognition of a sovereign Palestine. It comes just after Israel made significant concessions allowing for humanitarian aid to be distributed. The vast majority of Israelis today understand that the ridiculous notion of “land for peace” is dead.

Hamas now feels there is absolutely nothing further to gain from hostage deals or ceasefire agreements because they are winning the war on the global stage. They are being validated by the international community. Recognition of a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel. It is now incentivized to not agree to a ceasefire.

This mass international pressure on Israel has emboldened the terrorist regime who started the war. It neither brings anyone closer to peace nor does it bring the hostages home. To quote Winston Churchill, “ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.” Former hostage, a dual British/Israeli citizen, Emily Damari, who survived Hamas captivity for 471 days states, “I am deeply saddened. This move does not advance peace. It risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message that violence earns legitimacy. By legitimizing a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution: you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”

Recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state in hopes that it will bring peace is like saying ‘let’s give more heroin and free needles to junkies in hopes that it will get them off drugs or at least keep them safe from hepatitis and AIDS.’ This movement is demonically addicted to lies, propaganda and violence. In 2005 the Gaza Strip (once part of Israel) was emptied of all its Jewish population and given over to the Palestinians. The offering of land in hopes for peace gave way to violence and jihad and acts of infiltration into Israel. This, in turn, led to years of thousands of missiles launched into Israel – two decades of kidnappings and murder and the taking of global dollars to build an underground network of terror tunnels. While the world turns a blind eye.

Please watch this important explanatory video aired on Fox News earlier today- (it’s 14 minutes long, but by watching even a few minutes you can get the general idea…) Brian Kilmeade interviewed Ambassador Huckabee after he had just returned from being on the ground in Gaza.

https://youtu.be/oB__YBGGF1s?si=2JUJVGEaAD3cPiRq

Thanks to these weak spineless global governments, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terror organizations have grown even more emboldened and powerful. Just two days ago, after the recognition of a sovereign Palestine was announced, two more hostage videos were released. These are the real Hunger Games. Yet the photos are not to be found on the world’s leading newspapers.

The first video, released on Friday morning by the PIJ, shows 22 year old Ron Braslavski, kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival, tortured and starved for 666 days. He is visibly broken both physically and mentally. His family is shaken by the images. Ron was one of the heroes of October 7, a hired security personnel. He had stayed behind to help those injured, before being taken hostage himself.

Just one comment: in the video of Ron Braslavski below it is said he is an IDF soldier. He is being made to read propaganda by Hamas. Ron had finished his service and contracted out as a security guard when he was kidnapped from the festival.

https://youtu.be/wJ2i3yDdjI0?si=ECeYp834EiltdsAd

You can see the poor man is in agony. If you can watch this footage and still call it justified resistance against an occupier, then you have buried your humanity long ago. Free Palestine is not a liberation movement, it is a murderous death cult. Built in underground tunnels, UNWRA schools and hospitals that hid missiles and weapons, they spew propaganda like Goebbels spewed Nazi propaganda…but today’s Islamonazis are much much worse, because they do not hide what they do…they take pride in their performance of evil and the world is silent.

Also, on Friday, Hamas released a new video of hostages Eviatar David. He is unable to see well without his glasses. His legs and hands had been shackled. He is being held in the dark with little food or clean water. He is only allowed to shower with a bucket of sea water once a month. We know this from previously released hostages who had shared a cell next to him.

Eviatar was seen for the first time since October 7 in another Hamas propaganda video released this past February. He is seated in a heavily guarded truck alongside Hamas-held hostage, Guy Gilboa Daniel. They were being forced to watch a group of hostages being released. This was an act of psychological torture.

In the video yesterday, we see Eviatar keeping a chart of what he was given to eat. Twice a week lentils. Beans once every two weeks. Many days there is no food for him at all. He is videotaped being forced to dig his own grave. This is reminiscent of the Nazis and of Stalin. Of the horrors of Babi Yar in Russia.

https://youtu.be/SG1mAl7hayw?si=UdlJSpWYxxmP3xgi

Just a few hours ago, his cellmate, former captive Tal Shoham released this message to the world:

https://youtu.be/BQptjZGjES0?si=oxclTOLtWvuvuLqh

There is real hunger in the world. And real starvation: a hunger for the truth; a starvation for moral clarity. One side feeds and moves innocent civilians from harm’s way. The other side holds captives in conditions worse than animals. One side proclaims liberation and freedom. The other side fights evil terror regimes. One side treats the wounded. The other side starves, chains, mutilates, rapes and burns. The headlines scream “famine,” but not for the true victims whose cries go ignored. It’s not just a war of missiles and grenades, it’s a war of distortion and propaganda. Of appeasement dressed as diplomacy. Where suffering is justified. There is a true Hunger Games being played out right now. There is a famine right now – of integrity. Of courage. Of truth. The devil is in the details. Refuse to look away. Speak up. Share this post with as many people as you can.

Because the truth needs to be seen and heard.

Another Week War Stories Day 644. 11 July, 2025

Mazal tov to us! After welcoming a happy, healthy grandchild #7 in late March (we were there in the States), another daughter just had her second last week. That brings the grand total to 8… so far.

Up here in the North of Israel things are relatively quiet. The IDF has had to go into southern Lebanon repeatedly to destroy Hizbulla and their weapons caches as they try to rebuild and re-arm. They have broken their side of the ceasefire over and over again despite the established government vowing they would not be allowed to establish a foothold. Yet they keep trying. What else is new? And the army stays entrenched there instead of backing down and allowing another 7 October from the North.

We are still waiting for news of a hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza. Unfortunately Hamas will only allow 10 live and 15 dead captives to be returned. This is out of 50 hostages still being held there. They refuse to disarm. They refuse to relinquish control of the Strip. And they are asking for over 1000 terrorists (convicted) to be released from Israeli prisons. Most people here are hoping the IDF will clear the area of terrorists and somehow retrieve the hostages before hostilities end.

The Houthis in Yemen sank two tankers in the Red Sea last week. One was flying a Liberian flag. The other was from the Balkans. At least 19 crew members were killed from both boats. And these Houthi rebels keep firing on the shipping lanes and sending ICBMs toward Israel. Every day. It never stops. Most fall short or are intercepted before they can reach Israel.

I plan on covering all that’s been going on in Judaea and Samaria (West Bank), but since that is a whole subject in and of itself, I’ll save that for next week. Earlier today, another deadly terror attack happened. This time at the Gush Etzion junction. Two Palestinian terrorists – OK, they were security guards for the PA – opened fire murdering a border control IDF officer, Shalev Zvuluny, z”l. They were quickly neutralized by armed civilians. We’ve just learned those Palestinian Authority Police were trained in Qatar. Does this surprise? These ‘security officers’ of the PA are fully backed by international support as peacekeepers. And there is talk about letting them have control of Gaza after Hamas is removed from power. I don’t think so….

In other news, it’s heavy into the wedding season here. It’s crazy amazing that so many young couples are tying the knot and quickly starting new families. Some would think it counter-intuitive being there is a war going on.

Sapir Cohen was held in Hamas captivity for 55 days.shasha Trouvanov was hostage in Gaza for almost 500 days. They were both taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October, 2023. Yesterday they announced their engagement. From days of darkness to a future filled with light and love, their story is one of strength, hope and love…and the refusal to let evil win. Wish wish them a lifetime of joy and many, many children.

Einat Danino, a 47 year old Orthodox Jewish mother whose son Ori was taken hostage by Hamas and then murdered in captivity, just completed her IDF basic training. She chose to enlist in a special unit for Orthodox women. “It is the most meaningful way to honor my son’s service,” she stated.

A really weird story: Liri Albag, one of the IDF soldier girls who was abducted, spending almost a year and a half in the tunnels of Gaza, went to the US a month ago to meet with the President and other figures was stopped at JFK Airport in NY on her way home. Ironically her name was still on the hostage list due to a computer glitch. She was on some sort of no fly list and held for hours undergoing questioning. The Israeli Consulate stepped in to straighten the matter out… anyway, Liri re-enlisted in the IDF this week to finish up her service. Nothing can keep her down!

Former hostage, Romi Gonen was finally discharged fully from the hospital after 6 months. She was shot in the hand and kidnapped from the Nova festival, then operated on by a veterinarian while in a Gaza hospital. Freed last January, she has undergone two major surgeries at Sheba. She will need one more, scheduled for the upcoming months.

And for the heartbreaking: Avraham Azulay,25, married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth only two months ago. A carpenter and engineer, he built their home by his own hands. Right afterwards he was deployed into a reserve unit in Gaza. He fell heroically fighting the terrorists who ambushed him and tried to take him hostage, Avraham fought them off, however was sadly killed in the battle. Ruth is also mourning a sibling who fell last year.

In addition, 7 more of our soldiers were killed in action in Gaza this week with scores wounded. May their memories be for a blessing and their sacrifice not be in vain.

In the last couple weeks I’ve had several friends share memes and video clips with me that they’ve downloaded from social media. All of them are about top secret classified Mossad developments in military technology: one clip shows a robot army ready to fight any world army; another secret micro bees, flies, roaches and mosquitos equipped with micro cameras. They are able to infiltrate anywhere and can explode on command. How about the dog that brings his master a bone, drops it at his feet, leaves and the bone explodes? There are some other really crazy ones out there. Thing is they are ALL AI generated. Most started circulating around the time of the Hizbulla beepers. Most originally had Hebrew subtitles (now in English and Spanish) and were spoofs. Completely fake. Great deep fakes, but completely untrue untrue nonetheless. So please be careful what you watch and what you believe.

Just think: if Israel could keep the entire beeper and walkie talkie operation under wraps for a decade and if Mossad and the IDF can keep their Iran plans a secret, do you think these top secret videos be leaked to the internet on TikTok or Instagram? Please – as we say in Israel: Don’t be a freier (gullible Gus).